Boudoir photography is not a new fad that is being created overnight. It has existed in various forms for ages.

It is visible in historical art. It gained prominence in the early 1900s as a result of Albert Arther Allen. Instead of being constrained by the previous definition, it can now be subdivided by the artist into new subgenres.

At the outset of my profession, I photographed my first boudoir photography in a small bedroom studio with limited natural light. Beginning in a more constrained space encouraged me to be more inventive with my angles and poses.

The objective was to create enough variety within each boudoir shoot in order to sell the client an album with a variety of options. The inventiveness was evident in the attire, lighting, posing, and emotions conveyed in each of these boudoir photographs.

Numerous photographers struggle with various facets of boudoir photography.

While some are masters of strobe lighting, they lack the ability to position for emotion and story. Others have posed correctly, but the lighting is flat or the color balance is off.

Boudoir is unique among genres in that it exploits numerous psychological qualities of the client, who may be unaware.

Understanding how to connect with your client on all levels is critical to developing an album they will enjoy and a sale that will allow you to stay in business as an artist.

I’ll walk you through a few strategies in this article on how to find the ideal fit between you and your client.

By following these boudoir photography techniques, you may elevate your images from mediocre to great, allowing you to generate thought-provoking art that sells well simply by remaining basic.

Establish Contact With Your Client

Prior to your photoshoot, it is critical to establish contact with your client and/or model. While this may seem self-evident to the majority of boudoir photographers, it should be said to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

By developing a deeper connection with your boudoir client, you may help them feel more at ease with you in the highly private environment of their shoot.

Boudoir customers will contact you at various stages in their lives, for a variety of different reasons, and with a variety of different goals in mind for the session.

Some are youthful and carefree, eager to explore new things. Some are more mature and have children and wish to reclaim their confidence. Some (if not many) will come to you during a particularly trying period in their lives and will require you to help them move outside their comfort zone in order to heal.

I’ve worked with a number of people who have recently from highly violent relationships, some who have had significant weight loss, and even some who have never known the joy of appreciating their own bodies. They are all attempting to reclaim control of their minds when viewing themselves on video.

Posing Is Required for Everyone

Posing does not have to be extravagant, fashion runway-worthy, or glamorous. Oftentimes, the most natural and comfortable stances are the most effective.

While boudoir posing is similar to other types of photography, the photographer must read their clients differently for their level of comfort. While it is our responsibility to urge people to stretch a little beyond their comfort zone, it is not our responsibility to push them over that point.

This relates to interacting with your customer, which is why you should always exercise caution when posing your boudoir subjects.

How to Find Inspiration
Each photographer draws inspiration from a variety of sources.

When I originally began, I sought the famous artists of generations’ past for inspiration. The Odalisque by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres is my personal favorite.

While I never fully duplicate an image, I do want to use it as a source of inspiration for posing. As shown above, the rear arch with its soft over-the-shoulder aspect was influenced by the original but not exactly replicated.

If your style is more influenced by trends like wings, neon lights, or shower scenes, seek out artists who inspire you. With so many clientele and such a diverse range of tastes, there is a photographer for everyone.